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SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Mike Daum #24 and Lane Severyn #25 of South Dakota State compete with A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State for a rebound at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Ian Theisen #45 of South Dakota State searches for an open teammate while defended by Chris Quayle #13 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State drives to the basket on A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State gets defended by Cameron Hunter #22 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Lane Severyn #25 of South Dakota State drives to the basket while guarded by Jared Samuelson #11 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: South Dakota State bench celebrates a made three pointer at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Reed Tellinghuisen #23 of South Dakota State shoots over Cameron Hunter #22 of North Dakota state at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State shoots around the arm of A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State bodies up on Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State and A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State fight for the ball at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: North Dakota State bench watches as South Dakota State sinks a three pointer at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: North Dakota State bench watches as South Dakota State sinks a three pointer at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Brandon Key #0 of South Dakota State drives to the basket on Paul Miller #2 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State drives on Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tyson Ward #24 of North Dakota State drives between David Jenkins Jr. #5 and Reed Tellinghuisen #23 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State and Paul Miller #2 of North Dakota State fight for a rebound at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Skyler Flatten #1 from South Dakota State University knocks down a jumper against North Dakota State University during their semifinal game at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Skyler Flatten #1 of South Dakota State drives to the basket on Cameron Hunter #22 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Spencer Eliason #30 of North Dakota State and Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State wait to rebound at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State puts up a shot over around the arm of Chris Quayle #13 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State drives to the hole on Deng Geu #23 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State drives to the basket on Chris Quayle #13 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: David Jenkins Jr. #5 of South Dakota State drives to the basket on Tyson Ward #24 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: David Jenkins Jr. #5 of South Dakota State drives on A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Deng Geu #23 of North Dakota State drives to the rim while defended by Ian Theisen #45 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State puts up a shot over the hands of A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Cameron Hunter #22 of North Dakota State drives on David Jenkins Jr. #5 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: The South Dakota State University bench celebrates a basket against North Dakota State University during their semifinal game at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: The South Dakota State University bench celebrates a basket against North Dakota State University during their semifinal game at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State comes down with a rebound at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Tyson Ward #24 of North Dakota State drives on Tevin King #2 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: Cameron Hunter #22 of North Dakota State goes over Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State to the basket at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dick Carlson/Inertia)
Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia

SIOUX FALLS, SD - MARCH 5: The South Dakota State University bench celebrates a basket against North Dakota State University during their semifinal game at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)(Photo: Dave Eggen/Inertia)

Though they’ve now done it four years in a row, getting to the championship game of the Summit League tournament has not always come easy to the South Dakota State men’s basketball team. There was last year’s semifinal win over rival South Dakota, when they needed Michael Orris to play the game of his life (and hit the shot of his life) to overcome a dreadful first half.

The year before that they slept through the first half against Denver and needed an unlikely missed free throw in the final seconds to escape with a one-point win.

On Monday against their “other” rivals from North Dakota State, the Jackrabbits finally decided to go ahead and make things a little easier on themselves.

SDSU scored the first 10 points of their semifinal game at the Premier Center, never trailed, led by as much as 30, and faced only a fleeting moment of adversity in a 78-57 victory that was essentially never in doubt.

The win came two days after the top-seeded Jacks (27-6) were hardly impressive in a just-find-a-way 66-60 quarterfinal win over 8th-seeded Western Illinois, and it was hard not to sense that sluggish effort pushed SDSU to a strong start against the Bison.

“It definitely (did),” said junior big man Mike Daum, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. “It kind of helped us refocus, and getting refocused led to us getting off to a hot start.”

The hot start continued for most of the half, before NDSU briefly showed some life. After trimming a 36-12 deficit to 38-20 at halftime, the Bison used an 11-1 run to slice the Jacks lead down to eight at 39-31 less than three minutes into the second half. It wasn’t enough to get the SDSU players to panic, but it was enough to make the fans restless.

After consecutive layups by Skyler Flatten and Daum made it 44-31 in favor of the Jacks the crowd came to life. It seemed less like an attempt to rattle the Bison than a message to the Jacks: ‘Don’t you dare think about letting them back in this game.’

Consecutive 3-pointers by Lane Severyn and Flatten had SDSU back up by 18, and after NDSU got within 13 on a 3 by AJ Jacobson with 14:14 to go SDSU again pushed it back to 19, and used a 14-0 run to take their biggest lead at 75-45 with 7:05 to go.

“We came out and ran into a buzzsaw tonight,” said NDSU coach David Richman. “When they get it going with (David Jenkins and Daum) they’re tough to beat.”

A.J. Jacobson #21 of North Dakota State bodies up on Mike Daum #24 of South Dakota State at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.(Photo: Dick Carlson/Inertia, Dick Carlson/Inertia)

Jenkins led the Jacks with 24 points, one game after he went 1-for-10 for three points in his Summit League tournament debut.

“I told myself I couldn’t play worse than I did Saturday,” Jenkins said. “It was just my coaches believing in me and telling me to be aggressive and hitting me when I was open.”

SDSU's David Jenkins Jr. drives to the basket on NDSU's Tyson Ward at the 2018 Summit League Basketball tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.(Photo: Dave Eggen/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia)

The Jacks once again got strong guard play from Tevin King and Brandon Key, and SDSU shot 48 percent for the game. But defense carried them. They held Paul Miller to 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting one night after he scorched Fort Wayne for 29, and held the Bison to 34 percent shooting overall, including a 5-for-24 effort from outside.

The win marked the first time the Jacks have won three games against NDSU in a season since 1979-80. Their 27 wins leave them one shy of the program’s single-season record, set two years ago in Scott Nagy’s final season.

And it sets up a potentially epic final – a rubber match with the rival Coyotes (26-7), who handed SDSU their only Summit League loss this year, won the conference regular season title last season and are still searching for their first NCAA tournament bid in the Division I era. With another win over their enemies, SDSU would return to the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and fifth time in the last seven years.

“I feel really good about our team,” said Jacks coach T.J. Otzelberger. “If we can play for each other and be at our best things will work out for us. I have a lot of confidence in our guys right now.”